There are a lot of insights I agree with on SpideyGirl's blog post here. I read over it twice because a couple of friends pointed out that she was cherry picking in a lot of things such as the reference to Princess Peach. I understand what they mean, however I respectfully disagree.
The big thing for me is how many of the complaints are geared to the large breasts as if to say that if you have big breasts you are automatically an overly sexual being, a slut, or a stripper. As someone who is in that big breast department, I am rather annoyed by that sentiment. It's frankly foolish and more than a little tyrannical to assume and demand that every single woman in fiction or in reality have small breasts and are completely covered. Look at all the different body types in the real world and you will see that women come in all shapes and sizes in the body and breast department. This is not a one size fits all scenario. Implying that a woman can not be sexy and powerful at the same time is a bit ridiculous. Sexuality is NOT a bad thing. The people who decry it loudly and often make me wonder about what their real motives are. Are they really that insecure about themselves, that they have to tear others down?
I agree there needs to be more body diversity in video games on both the male and female side. That's right. I said it. However, games like Overwatch are doing something positive and trying to do just that. And there are games that do that, but to single out a couple of the female characters here and there and imply that they're "too sexy" seems like a form of slut shaming and it's NOT okay. It causes me to wonder if these people do that to actual women in public. I love the Soul Calibur series and I like the characters Ivy and Taki. It does not bother me in the least that they're a bit bigger in the breast department and a bit curvier. Remember when video games were fun and there was none of this constant nitpicking over every single little thing? Let's go back to that. I love video games and they are fun for me and I love that there are so many great characters to play both male and female. I'm not worried about body image. If you want to worry about it, you go ahead. That's your thing, but it's not mine.
You can read SpideyGirl's blog here: http://thespectacularspider-girl.tumblr.com/post/113010314274/female-portrayals-in-video-games
The big thing for me is how many of the complaints are geared to the large breasts as if to say that if you have big breasts you are automatically an overly sexual being, a slut, or a stripper. As someone who is in that big breast department, I am rather annoyed by that sentiment. It's frankly foolish and more than a little tyrannical to assume and demand that every single woman in fiction or in reality have small breasts and are completely covered. Look at all the different body types in the real world and you will see that women come in all shapes and sizes in the body and breast department. This is not a one size fits all scenario. Implying that a woman can not be sexy and powerful at the same time is a bit ridiculous. Sexuality is NOT a bad thing. The people who decry it loudly and often make me wonder about what their real motives are. Are they really that insecure about themselves, that they have to tear others down?
I agree there needs to be more body diversity in video games on both the male and female side. That's right. I said it. However, games like Overwatch are doing something positive and trying to do just that. And there are games that do that, but to single out a couple of the female characters here and there and imply that they're "too sexy" seems like a form of slut shaming and it's NOT okay. It causes me to wonder if these people do that to actual women in public. I love the Soul Calibur series and I like the characters Ivy and Taki. It does not bother me in the least that they're a bit bigger in the breast department and a bit curvier. Remember when video games were fun and there was none of this constant nitpicking over every single little thing? Let's go back to that. I love video games and they are fun for me and I love that there are so many great characters to play both male and female. I'm not worried about body image. If you want to worry about it, you go ahead. That's your thing, but it's not mine.
You can read SpideyGirl's blog here: http://thespectacularspider-girl.tumblr.com/post/113010314274/female-portrayals-in-video-games
It's silly that these are the kinds of issues that some people choose to focus on when they feel the need to send someone an angry letter. Sexuality and violence in video games should not be blown up into the controversy they seem to be. Playing video games is optional not mandatory. People who have a problem with scantily clad, attractive cartoons, or blood and guts, should probably avoid playing certain games. Meanwhile, the rest of us will enjoy them for what they really are: Entertainment.
ReplyDeleteExactly. I am constantly saying if a person does not like it then don't play it, watch it, read it, etc. and just let those of us who do enjoy the entertainment without any hassle. I also state that often that parents are responsible for doing their jobs as parents and being proactive and informed about what their kids are seeing and doing instead of passing the buck and expecting others to do it for them.
DeleteI absolutely agree. It's not the developers/programmers/writers/directors job to filter what children are exposed to. They create a variety of entertainment, for a variety of people. Just because some parents are too lazy or disconnected, does not mean that the rest of us should have to suffer through watered down games, books, movies, and TV shows.
DeleteI definitely agree with this. It's one thing to avoid having every woman given unrealistic proportions. But people come in all kinds of sizes and shapes.Different styles of clothing, as well (I remember reading some article where someone complained about Aeris wearing a dress, as if somehow her choice of clothing made her inferior. Nope, it's HER CHOICE OF CLOTHING!)
ReplyDeleteWe need to embrace diversity. And yes, "slut shaming" disguised as "women's liberation" is JUST as bad as "slut shaming" coming from "men stuck in a time warp."
Very true. I understand where both sides are coming from. However, when they become so tyrannical about it and demanding that everyone fall in line and be exactly the same I can not agree. This is why I had such an issue with the whole Gamergate debacle. The claim of integrity in gaming journalism was laughable when they had people sending death and rape threats. That is not integrity. That is a very dangerous element and way of thinking. And honestly, it really all boiled down to one individual could not be an adult about a former relationship and brought up something that should have been private to the public. It spun out of control from there. Bottom line EVERYONE deserves to be treated with respect even if you disagree with their views.
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